Matt Forte: Why Ankle Injury Won't Prevent Bears RB from Having Huge Season

The high expectations for Matt Forte's season got back on track when Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith revealed that his star running did not have the dreaded high-ankle sprain, but a sprain that did not require a location-specific qualifier.  

ESPN's Michael C. Wright passed along the news. 

"

Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith said after practice Monday that running back Matt Forte indeed suffered an ankle sprain, but not a high sprain against the Green Bay Packers, and he added the club hasn't ruled him out for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams.

"

Now, if you've spent any time following NFL injury reports, you will know the distinction between the two types of ankle sprains. High ankle sprains typically mean a player is done for at least a month, while a regular ankle sprain may not keep them out of the next game. 

In Forte's case, while Smith let us all know that Forte avoided the high-ankle sprain, he certainly did not go so far to say that Forte would be on the field this coming Sunday as the Bears host the Rams.

It is going to be the wait-and-see approach for Forte's status in this game.  

Wright noted that "Forte trotted off the practice field [on Monday] without any noticeable discomfort, and also wasn't wearing a brace or walking boot on the injured right ankle."

This is all good news for Bears fans and fantasy owners of Forte. While it is too early to pencil him in for Sunday, it is hard to envision him missing more than one game due to this injury, and as long as Forte is on the field, he is going to produce. 

Forte left the Bears' Week 2 game against the Packers with his ankle injury in the third quarter. So far this season, he has gained 111 yards in a little over six quarters of action. 

He also has seven catches, albeit for just 11 yards. 

The only thing really limiting Forte's production this year is the addition of the powerful Michael Bush, who has two rushing TDs to Forte's one. 

However, Forte's production is still going to be worthy of a No. 1 fantasy back. 

Fantasy owners should monitor his status this week, and if he plays on Sunday, don't hesitate to start him.